Objective:
Warm-up:
Teacher: "You smell like cigarette smoke. Have you been smoking?"
Student: "Me? No way… I don't smoke."
Teacher: "I don't believe you. Let me have your backpack. I'm going to call security and have them check it for cigarettes."
Student: "You're kidding me, right? I didn't do anything wrong. Plus, they can't search me without a warrant."
At this point, a security guard enters the room and approaches the student.
Security Guard: "Come with me and bring your backpack. We're going to search it."
Respond to the following questions:
- What did you think about the event that just occurred? Was the student treated fairly?
- The student claimed that security can't conduct a search without a warrant. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
- Do the rules that police must follow regarding searches apply to school officials? Should the same rules apply? Why or why not?
Class Resources:
Bethel v. Fraser
New Jersey v. TLO
Veronia School District v. Acton
Goss v. Lopez